“I Have a Dream…”

Hey, guys! Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! I hope those of you who don’t have school or work today are enjoying your day off! In honor of today, I have some material to share with you, including famous MLK quotes and things to do on MLK Day!

Famous Quotes From MLK

  1. “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”- We should learn how to accept each other’s differences and work together. Each of us has a past. This quote especially applies to a school setting, the workplace, and the United States, of course.
  2. “The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.”- It is better to have a brief life filled with happy memories than to have a long life filled with misery, regrets, and heartaches. So, if you or anyone you know are dying of cancer or any other incurable disease, focus less on lamenting the inevitable and more on making the last days of your/their lives joyful!
  3. “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into [a] friend.”- No matter how tempting it is to fight fire with fire, we all must learn how to love our enemies (like the Bible says; atheists can disregard this). Although it is tempting to get revenge, we all need to resist the urge to fight fire with fire. Whether it is a tyrannical supervisor, misogynistic coworkers, racist police officers, or an appearance police officer of a mother, let’s kill them with kindness!
  4. “The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.”- We should all be willing to stand up for morality. If we don’t, we are as bad as the person who commits immoral crimes. For example, being indifferent about the victims of police brutality makes you
  5. “There comes a time when silence is betrayal.”- Similar to #4, this quote means that if you are not speaking up about something bad happening or someone committing an immoral or unjust crime, you are letting down the victim(s). For instance, if your boss accused your co-worker of stealing company funds, and you knew they didn’t steal but chose not to say anything, you are being a part of the problem.
  6. “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”- As tempting as being selfish all the time is, we must be generous and selfless towards one another. Being self-centered will ultimately lead to regret and misery. Namely, a parent who forces their child to become a lawyer or engineer just so they could profit from their money will most likely receive resentment from the child and lose contact.

Books About Martin Luther King, Jr.

  1. MLK: An American Legacy by David J. Garrow
  2. The King Years: Historic Moments in the Civil Rights Movement by Taylor Branch
  3. Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-63 by Taylor Branch
  4. I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr.
  5. Waking From the Dream by David L. Chappell
  6. “Thou, Dear God”: Prayers That Open Hearts and Spirits (King Legacy Book 6) by Martin Luther King Jr., Julius R. Scruggs, and Lewis V. Baldwin
  7. Martin Luther King Jr. Day {Our Country’s Holidays} by Sheri Dean
  8. The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Johnny Ray Moore
  9. The Measure of a Man by Martin Luther King Jr.

If you want to find out about these books and look for more books, check out these sites:

Shepard Fairey Inspired MLK Dream T-shirt
Shepard Fairey Inspired MLK Dream T-shirt by Giltronix

Sources:

Return of the Bus Fare Survey

Within this horrid disaster called the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been the silver lining of not having to pay the bus fare because of the blockage of the front entrance. However, the MTA started charging their passengers again two weeks ago, although the pandemic is far from over. I, for one, miss getting free bus rides and not having to worry about getting my Metrocard ready or buying a SBS ticket. However, some may argue that the return of the bus fare is beneficial for the MTA and for the bus drivers who work hard to make a living. What do you think? Are you okay or even over-the-moon happy that the bus fare requirements returned? Or do you absolutely hate it? Or are you feeling neutral/in the middle about it? Vote by clicking on the link below!

https://strawpoll.com/s84uk93po

Bus Time Manhattan Launch
Bus Time Manhattan Launch by MTAPhotos

Reflecting On Nineteen Years Ago

On September 11, 2001, we faced a national tragedy when al Qaeda attacked us. Many people got hurt, and we lost many lives. Since I was little when 9/11 occurred, I remember nothing, aside from what my mother told me (I was at school when the attacks took place). Also, no one I know got injured or killed. Where were you when 9/11 happened? Did someone you know get hurt? Did you lose a loved one or loved ones because of the attacks? Please comment below!

USA flaglet
9/11 Memorial in New York City by Anthony Fomin
curtain wall building
WTC by Kirby Kizuki
Emergency Response after 9/11 attacks
Emergency Response after 9/11 attacks by USACE HQ
Grayscale Photography of High Rise Buildings
Thomas Svensson

Please donate to BTSADV!

Hello, ladies and gentlemen! How many of you can’t stand when a man raises their hand against a woman, and vice versa? How many of you have either experienced this first hand or witnessed someone else going through it? If you answered yes (or raised your hand) to any of these questions, you may be interested in donating to my (post) birthday fundraiser for Breaking the Silence Against Domestic Violence. I chose this organization for my birthday fundraiser this year because I sympathize with people in abusive relationships. No one should have to put up with domestic violence. If you agree with me, please head over to my Facebook Fundraiser page and donate as much as you can (the minimum they allow you to send is $5). BTSADV uses donations to fund programs such as the Angel Scholarship Program and the Survivor Sisters Retreat. You could go on the BTSADV website to find out more about them, their mission, and about how they use donations. Thank you very much in advance!

#breakthesilence #saynotodv #wordsnothands #thegoldenrule

http://breakthesilencedv.org

https://www.facebook.com/donate/597750464462458/

Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month by heraldpost

Check Out My Novel, “Best Served Cold”!

Now that it is summer, it is time for some summer reading. Speaking of which, be sure to take a look at my novel titled Best Served Cold on Amazon. This novel is about a teenager who goes to extreme measures to get revenge on her sister after she treated her as an outcast and humiliated her at school. The main character later regrets her actions. It is available as a paperback for $5.99! The link to preview and purchase it is below! Happy reading!

Twelve Songs That Are Suitable For the On-going COVID-19 Pandemic

  1. Locked Up- Akon ft. Styles P*:
Akon at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, USA on September 12, 2010.

2. Another One Bites the Dust:

Magelang indonesia, december 24, 2018 :potrait queen on color abstract art style isolated.

3. I Will Survive- Gloria Gaynor:

Animated GIF

4. Survivor- Destiny’s Child:

destinys child beyonce GIF

5. The Lazy Song- Bruno Mars:

bruno mars sigh GIF

6. Three Little Birds- Bob Marley:

motivational bob marley GIF

7. Stayin’ Alive- Bee Gees:

season 6 GIF

8. Paint It Black- Rolling Stones:

Rolling Stones Paint it Black 7' Single

9. Lonely- Akon:

heatwave GIF by Robin Schulz

10. That’s Life- Frank Sinatra:

thats life sal valentinetti GIF by America's Got Talent

11. Lean On Me- Bill Withers (may he rest in Peace):

Soul Train 70S GIF

12. See You Again- Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth

wiz khalifa long day GIF

– Or by Miley Cyrus (I prefer this one):

Song List Sources:

Photo Sources:

  • Akon at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, USA on September 12, 2010.– Tinseltown/Shutterstock.
  • Magelang [I]ndonesia, [D]ecember 24, 2018: [P]o[r]trait queen on color abstract art style isolated.– Muhammad suryanto/Shutterstock.
  • Animated GIF– r/shittyreactiongifs (Reddit)/GIPHY.
  • Destiny[‘]s Child Beyonce GIF– beyhive1992 (Tumblr/Page Not Found)/GIPHY.
  • Bruno Mars Sigh GIF– ilavbrunomars(Tumblr/Page Not Found)/GIPHY.
  • Motivational Bob Marley GIF– No Source Found/GIPHY.
  • Season 6 GIF– simpsonsworld.com/GIPHY.
  • Rolling Stones Paint It Black 7′ Single– vinylmeister/Creative Commons.
  • Heatwave GIF– Robin Schulz/GIPHY.
  • That[‘]s Life Sal Valentinetti GIF– America’s Got Talent/GIPHY.
  • Soul Train 70[s] GIF– The Things You Are (Tumblr/Qwizzable)/GIPHY.
  • Wiz Khalifa Long Day GIF– Freefall-in-Blue (Tumblr)/GIPHY.

*Videos embedded from YouTube

Check Out “Seasons: A Poetry Anthology!”

Hey, fellas! Happy Memorial Day Weekend! If you’re bummed about being stuck at home for the holiday, I know something you could do to cheer yourselves up: take a look at the second book I wrote with the SMS Novel Group! The book is a poetry anthology titled Seasons, and the poems we had written were inspired about our emotions. For instance, many of us wrote about past experiences that made us angry and sad, as well as our feelings about the COVID-19 pandemic. If you want a sneak peek, most of the poems I wrote were about issues that make me furious, such as bullying and domestic violence. For the full story, you must go to Amazon or SMS Novel and get the book. The E-book is free, but if you prefer the physical version of the book (like me), you’ll have to order the book from the SMS Novel website for $19.99. The link to the website is below. Enjoy!

Seasons: A Poetry Anthology by [Jana Keely, Carlin Hertz, Anna Draniewicz, Yvonne Harris, Bethany James, Lordy Belance]
Photo Credit: Seasons: A Poetry Anthology- SMS Novel/Amazon

https://www.smsnovel.com/product-page/seasons-a-poetry-anthology

13 Songs About Saving The Environment

Hi, peeps! In honor of (late) Earth Day, here are some songs that will get you into the spirit of making the world a better place:

  1. Heal the World- Michael Jackson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWf-eARnf6U
  2. We Are The World- USA For Africa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AjkUyX0rVw
  3. Earth Song- Michael Jackson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAi3VTSdTxU
  4. We Can Change The World- Bridget Mendler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M59EB3Z9tOo
  5. Big Green Taxi- The Counting Crows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvtJPs8IDgU
  6. Radioactive- Imagine Dragons: https://youtu.be/ktvTqknDobU
  7. What A Wonderful World- Louis Armstrong: https://youtu.be/m5TwT69i1lU
  8. Give Peace A Chance- The Plastic Ono Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3_0GqPvr4U
  9. This Land Is Your Land- Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings: https://youtu.be/XQ78uDio_ao
  10. Mercy, Mercy Me- Marvin Gaye: https://youtu.be/efiDnHS3fzk
  11. Send It On- Disney’s Friends For Change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-RpivcId8o
  12. Imagine- John Lennon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOgFZfRVaww
  13. Get Up Stand Up- Bob Marley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLYOOezs3DA

Sources:

–https://www.dummymag.com/10-best/10-best-songs-environmental-message-cerrone/

–https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/top-ten-songs-about-environment/

–https://spinditty.com/playlists/Songs-About-Nature

-Google

*Note: According to Google, most of these songs have many different recordings (ie. We Are The World was re-recorded by Michael Jackson in 2004).

Check out my new group book “My Love Matters”!

Good evening, guys! I hope you all are staying safe and sound during this pandemic! I have an idea: to pass the time, why don’t you check out the new book that I co-wrote with the SMS Group? It is titled My Love Matters, and it is about a black college senior named Aries Johnson who falls in love with a white junior and football quarterback named Ryan Wolf. However, racism from others, disapproval from Aries’ parents, and a huge secret causes a few bumps in their relationship. Will their love for each other survive? You’ll have to read it and find out! Click on the link below to order. I hope you’ll like it! (P.S. I used my pen name, Laurel C. Belanz)

https://www.smsnovel.com/product-page/my-love-matters-group-book

What To Do While Confined Because of Corona

Greetings, everybody! I know that a lot of you must be going ballistic from being cooped up because of the deadly Coronavirus. But never fear! Lordy is here….to tell you that you do NOT have to go out to have a great time! Here is a list of things you could do while safeguarding yourself from this ugly disease:

  1. Take up reading
  2. Enjoy your favorite Netflix, Prime, Hulu, Disney+, and/or TV programs
  3. Write stories, plays, poems, essays, blogs, journal/diary entries, anything you fancy!
  4. Call, email, text, or video-call your loved ones (and ask them how they are holding up through all of this).
  5. Exercise. The gyms are closed, so you might as well.
  6. Surf through social media and post funny content
  7. Record live videos on social media
  8. Learn a new hobby/skill
  9. Play mobile games (SongPop and Choices are my favorites!)
  10. Arts & Crafts
  11. Meditate
  12. Listen to music and jam to karaoke!
  13. Start a podcast or web show, or both!
  14. Fun cooking sessions and dinners with your fellow residents!
  15. Try to become a star on YouTube, Tik Tok, Soundcloud, Instagram, etc.
  16. Attend or host an event via Zoom, Instagram Live, Facebook Live, Twitch, etc.
  17. Play cards or other games with your friends on a virtual game playing site (suggested by someone in one of my Repair The World campaigns)

Image Sources

  • Riga, Latvia – March 25, 2018: Earphones connected to iPad showing Netflix logo on the screen.– Kaspars Grinvalds / Shutterstock.com
  • Child cut applique top view. Artwork workplace with creative accessories. Flat lay art tools for painting.– s_oleg/Shutterstock.com
  • RIGA, LATVIA. 4th April 2019. Young woman listens to music and reads message at smartphone. Sitting on lounge chair.– Gints Ivuskans/Shutterstock.com
  • Happy friends singing together at home. Karaoke party concept– Prostock-studio/Shutterstock.com
  • Concentrated On Writing– © Studio Dream/Dreamstime.com
  • Exercise Ball Rollout– © Tadija Savic/Dreamstime.com